Review: BATTLERS AND DREAMERS Brings The Kitch Of '80s and 90's Television To The Small Stage

Sunday 11th September 2016, 7pm, Giant Dwarf, Redfern

BATTLERS AND DREAMERS is a fun filled flashback at all the comic and cringeworthy moments of 80's and 90's Australian television. This 80 minute musical conglomeration of all the soap opera tropes has audiences of all ages laughing and wincing as they are horrified and embarrassed, either because they remember it, or because they can't believe people accepted it as entertainment.

For its Second Stage of its Fringe run, BATTLERS AND DREAMERS occupies the small thrust stage of Giant Dwarf Theatre. The space is dressed to enable the stage to take on various locations from the local pub, complete with pastel wallpaper and framed pastoral print, various homes and the streets of the obscure suburb that the story is set. The setting is further cemented by the costuming which draws on all the sterotypes of the era including padded power suits, ra-ra skirts, bad perms, mullets and hilariously hideous knitted sweaters.

The storyline draws on characters common to many shows of the era from the rebel boy with a mysterious background ( Phillippe Klaus as Shane McAllistar), town sweetheart (Lauren Sabrina as Charmayne Grundy), neighbourhood busy body (Kim Taylor as Lesley Wrangler), and bitter best friend (Jacqueline Marriott as Danni). The central family comprises the business minded Pam Grundy (Angeline Neville) who, whilst trying to save the family bistro seems to be harbouring a secret, the henpecked house husband Geoff Grundy (Lynden Jones) who has put his dreams on hold for his family, and their doted upon pretty blonde daughter Charmayne (Lauren Sabrina) who has aspirations of being a pop singer.

Writers Erin Brookhouse and Romy Bartz have created a hilarious story filled with references to shows like A Country Practice, E Street, Neighbours, Home And Away, and Hey Dad! Over the course of the night, they factor in references to the passage of time through the familiar "Last week on" summaries as they return from scene change blackouts. As well as the common storyline plot twists, they've also included little tricks and habits that prevailed over a number of Australian and international Soap operas. There is a wonderful absurdity to the plot line including the Geoff Grundy's bizarre magic tricks and dream sequence presented with hilarious ridiculousness by Jones. The only part that doesn't sit as well are the musical interludes where Bartz and Brookhouse have attempted to turn this into a musical. Strip away the songs which aren't executed well and the pace will pick up and energy will be sustained.

Whilst BATTLERS AND DREAMERS season has finished, if this is restaged, its well worth grabbing a group of friends and having a fun night out, particularly if you lived through the 80's.

BATTLERS AND DREAMERS

Doll Parts Productions